Jesus Calling for Teens: 50 Devotions for Busy Days

by Sarah Young

Introduction

We live among people who think staying busy is the best way to live. Even Christians often fall into the trap of thinking more is always better—more stuff, more work, sports, or activities. But this leads to a life that is on overload.

Jesus calls you to step away and spend time with Him. His Words fill your life with peace, joy, and rest.

The Bible is the only perfect Word of God—without errors. I always work hard to keep my writings consistent with the unchanging truths of Scripture.

I have written this devotional from the perspective of Jesus speaking, to help readers feel more personally connected with Him. So the first person singular (“I,” “Me,” “My,” “Mine”) always refers to Jesus; “you” refers to you, the reader. I’ve included Scripture references after each reading. Words from the Bible (some paraphrased, some quoted) are written in italics.

The devotions in this book are meant to be read slowly, preferably in a quiet place—with your Bible open. Spending time with Jesus will prepare you to get through this busy day successfully.

Sarah Young

No Shortcuts

I have planned out a perfect path for your life, and I am leading you along that path. In the distance, you can see the mountaintop. That’s our goal. I know that you want to go straight to the top, but don’t take shortcuts. Follow Me instead. Shortcuts can take you into dangerous places.

There will be difficulties along the way, for sure. But I will use them to bless you with courage and strength. At times it might even seem that I am leading you away from the goal. Follow Me anyway. I have lovingly planned every inch of your journey.

Hold My hand and walk with Me. When the path gets rocky and steep—when problems get in your way—hold even tighter to My hand. Together we will make it to the top!

JOHN 21:19; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:17

The Lord God

gives me my

STRENGTH.

He makes me

like a deer, which

does not stumble.

He LEADS me safely

on the steep mountains.

—Habakkuk 3:19 (ICB)

The Pit of Self-Pity

It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself—especially when things aren’t going your way, or you feel like everyone is against you, or you are just plain tired of trying so hard all the time. But feeling sorry for yourself is one of the devil’s favorite traps. Don’t even go near it! Once you fall into his trap, it is very hard to get out again.

How can you protect yourself from the devil’s traps? Focus on Me. When you are feeling sorry for yourself, you are thinking only about yourself and your problems. But when you think about Me and praise Me for My Presence, then you won’t stumble into the pit of self-pity. Stay close to Me in your words and thoughts. I will give you the energy to run the race—and never give up!

PSALM 89:15-16; HEBREWS 12:2

So let us RUN

the race that

is before us and

NEVER give up.

—Hebrews 12:1 (ICB)

I Love You

I love you. Take a moment, be still, and think about that. I am the Creator of the universe, the Ruler of Time, the Master of all that you see—and I love you. My Love is so big that it fills up all of space, time, and eternity.

I know that you don’t fully understand the hugeness of My Love for you. You see glimpses of it now—as you feel Me guiding you, drawing you closer to Me, and answering your prayers. But one day you will see Me face-to-Face. Then you will know exactly how wide and long and high and deep My Love for you really is. For now, just know that My Love is so huge it cannot be measured. And it goes with you through every moment of every day.

EPHESIANS 3:16-19

Now all we can

SEE of God is like a

cloudy picture in a mirror.

Later we will see him

face to face. We don’t

KNOW everything, but

then we will, just as God

completely understands us.

—1 Corinthians 13:12 (CEV)

Don’t Go It Alone

It is a simple fact: You cannot make it by yourself. More importantly, you don’t have to make it by yourself. It’s up to you.

Yes, there will be days when everything goes just the way you planned. You’ve got everything under control, and you are living on top of the world. But then—BAM! Trouble—big trouble—comes and yanks away the control you thought you had. An illness, an accident, it’s something you never saw coming.

You know you need help. Let Me help you. I already know the answers. Let Me guide you to them. But first you have to choose: Do you stubbornly go it alone? Or do you humbly come to Me and let Me help you? Please, choose Me.

JAMES 1:2-3

You are my help.

Because of your

PROTECTION,

I sing. I stay close

to you. You SUPPORT

me with your right hand.

—Psalm 63:7–8 (ICB)

Live This Day

Will you do well on your exam? Will your friend still be angry? Will you live up to what your parents expect from you? I know these kinds of things worry you. But your greatest danger is worrying about tomorrow.

Just as physically you can only carry so many heavy boxes, spiritually you can only carry so many burdens. Today is the only day you have to live. If you try to carry tomorrow’s worries while you are living today, you will stumble and fall because the load is just too heavy. You must choose to live this day. Give your worries about tomorrow to Me, and I will carry them for you. I will be right beside you, holding your hand.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13

Yet I am ALWAYS

with you; you

HOLD me by my

right hand.

—Psalm 73:23

May the God of hope fill youwith all joy and peace as youtrust in him, so that you mayoverflow with hope by thepower of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13